Tallahassee, FL: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation into law, House Bill 387, permitting physicians to issue medical cannabis authorizations to eligible patients via telehealth appointments.
State law stipulates that doctors must perform an in-person physical examination of a patient prior to issuing their initial authorization. Under the new law, physicians may issue certification renewals following a telehealth evaluation.
Florida patients must renew their authorization cards annually.
In March 2020, Florida’s Surgeon General issued an emergency order allowing for doctors to engage in medical cannabis consultations via telehealth. That order expired later that same year.
An estimated 815,000 patients are registered with the Florida Department of Health to access medical cannabis products.
Other provisions in the new law seek to lower barriers of entry into the medical cannabis industry for African American farmers.
Additional information on pending legislation is available from NORML’s Action Center.